Mackenzie Valley Highway - EA1213-02
Document List - Developer's Assessment Report/Environmental Impact Statement
Letter from the developer requesting the deadline for responding to the Review Board's first three information requests be extended to June 19, 2024.
Email from the developer requesting the deadline for responding to parties initial comments on the DAR be extended to April 19, 2024.
Letter from Danny McNeely (MLA, Sahtu) to the Review Board
Email from the Chief of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation to the ORS Webmaster on March 1. Email was forward to MVEIRB staff on March 21.
Note to file describing topics of conversation during meeting between MVEIRB and ECCC staff.
The developer's letter response to the Review Board's Notice of Proceeding on transferring materials from the Tlicho All Season Road environmental assessment public registry (PR161).
Email response from Pehdzeh Ki First Nation to Nov. 14, 2023 Initiation of Consultation letter (PR #127) from the Governments of the Northwest Territories and Canada.
Cover letter and supplemental DAR information from the GNWT on caribou movement analysis. The report is titled Mackenzie Valley Highway Project: Inferring the Potential Barriers to Boreal Caribou Movement and contains supplemental information referenced in Sections 10.4.1.2 and 10.7.2 of the DAR.
Letter from Acho Dene Koe to Review Board staff about the Mackenzie Valley Highway EA. The letter and comments in Appendix A have been added to the ORS review of the Developer's Assessment Report.
Transfer of materials relevant to the Tlicho All Season Road to the public register for the Mackenzie Valley Highway
Review Board Staff completed Dehcho Engagement in Fort Simpson and Wrigley. The plans for Sahtu Engagement were postponed due to winter road travel, and the availability of community members and staff to meet.
Revised draft workplan, considering feedback received in December 2023.
Note to File - Meeting with the developer about engagement in late January and early February
Letter from Environment & Renewable Resource Management Northern Affairs Organization, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, describing funded groups and funding levels.
Letter from the Government of Canada to the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Letter from the Government of Canada to the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation about the Mackenzie Valley Highway EA
Cover Letter - Submission of translations of the Non-Technical Summary of the Developer’s Assessment Report, including French, Sahtúot'ı̨nÄ™ YatÄ±Ì¨Ì (North Slavey), and Dene Zhatıé (South Slavey).
GNWT comments on draft Workplan for the Mackenzie Valley Highway EA, received December 19, 2023
LKFN Comments on draft Workplan for the Mackenzie Valley Highway EA
Letter from NPMO to MVEIRB - Federal Participation Roles and Status for EA Letter received December 13, 2023
(revised to fix formatting and typos)
Review Board staff are offering Online Review System training on December 13 and again in January 2024 at a time to be determined
The Review Board is open to receiving comments from parties on the draft workplan until December 19, 2023.
This notice of proceeding describes the next steps of the environmental assessment, including a draft workplan. Next steps include a preliminary review of the Developer's Assessment Report followed by information requests from the Review Board. Parties will be able to ask information requests after the Review Board.
This document describes the Review Board's conformity decision and provides the reasons for its determination that the document is in conformity.
A letter from the Review Board to the GNWT (the developer) regarding the conformity determination of the Developer's Assessment Report. The Review Board determined the document is in conformity.
Review Board staff recently had high level discussions on current and upcoming EA process steps for the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project with several groups, as highlighted in this letter.
The developer responded to the Review Board's request for information on their approach to GNWT departmental participation/preparation of the DAR for the project with a letter (Public Registry Item #135). An "Appendix A" (Public Registry Item #136) table was also attached, and is posted here. This Appendix is a documentation of all participating department's final comments from the technical review stage of the DAR.
The developer's response to the Review Board's request for information on their approach to GNWT departmental participation/preparation of the Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) for the Mackenzie Valley Highway. An "Appendix A" (Public Registry Item #136) table was also attached, and is posted separately.
A letter to Yamoga Land Corp in Fort Good Hope on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to West Point First Nation in Hay River on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Tulita Land Corp in Tulita on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to The Metis Association Local 52 in Fort Simpson on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Sambaa K'e First Nation in Sambaa K'e on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated in Deline on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Sahtu Dene Council in Deline on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in Wrigley on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to North Slave Metis Alliance in Yellowknife on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Norman Wells Land Corp in Norman Wells on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Nahanni Butte Dene Band in Nahanni Butte on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Liidli Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Katlodeeche First Nation in Hay River on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation in Hay River on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Fort Providence Metis Council in Fort Providence on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Fort Norman Metis Community in Tulita on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
Initiation of Consultation with Fort Good Hope Metis Nation Local #54 Land Corporation from GNWT GoC
A letter to Fort Good Hope Metis Nation Local #54 Land Corporation in Fort Good Hope on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Deline Got'ine Government in Deline on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Dehcho First Nations in Fort Simpson on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation in Fort Providence on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Ayoni Keh Land Corporation in Colville Lake on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
A letter to Acho Dene Koe First Nation in Fort Liard on the "Initiation of Consultation by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada on the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway Project". The letter: 1) notifies of, and invites participation in the EA process 2) initiates formal Crown consultation on the future EA decision 3) Advises that the Crown relies on the Review Board's process, to the extent possible, to fulfill their duty to consult, and if appropriate, accommodate.
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 5 -- Management Plans Part 1 of 1 Contains the following Management Plans: -Emergency Response Plan Framework -Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan -Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Plan -Heritage and Sites Protection Plan -Permafrost Protection Plan -Quarry Development Plan Framework -Spill Contingency Plan -Waste Management Plan, and -Wildlife Management and Monitoring Plan.
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 4 -- Other Topics Addressed Part 1 of 1 Contains Sections 23-27 of DAR and Appendix 24A Section 23 - Compliance and Effects Monitoring Section 24 - Assessment of Potential Effects of the Environment on the Project Section 25 - Assessment of Potential Effects of Accidents and Malfunctions Section 26 - Cumulative Effects Assessment Summary Section 27 - Developer's Commitments Appendix 24A - Climate Resilience Assessment
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 13 of 13 Contains Appendix 20A, 20B, 20C and 22A Appendix 20A - Birds and Bird Habitat Technical Data Report Appendix 20B - Recommended Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Bird Species Appendix 20C - 2022 Avian Survey Report Appendix 22A - Heritage Resources Technical Data Report
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 12 of 13 Contains Appendix 19A, 19B Appendix 19A - Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Technical Data Report Appendix 19B - Recommended Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Wildlife Species
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 11 of 13 Contains Appendix 17A, 18A, 18B Appendix 17A - Fish and Fish Habitat Technical Data Report Appendix 18A - Vegetation and Wetlands Technical Data Report Appendix 18B - Plants of Interest to Indigenous Governments, Indigenous Organizations and Other Affected Parties – Dehcho and Sahtu Regions
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 10 of 13 Contains Appendix 15C, 15D, 16A Appendix 15C - Mackenzie Valley Highway: Desktopâ€based Assessment of Water Availability Appendix 15D - Prohibition Creek Access Road: Desktopâ€based Assessment of Water Availability Appendix 16A - Surface Water and Sediment QualityTechnical Data Report
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 9 of 13 Contains Appendix 15B Appendix 15B - Hydrogeology Technical Data Report
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 8 of 13 Contains Appendix 15A Appendix 15A - Surface Water Quantity Technical Data Report
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 7 of 13 Contains Appendix 14A - SubAppendix B_Part 4of4 Appendix 14A (Terrain, Soils and Permafrost Technical Data Report) SubAppendix B: LSA Terrain Mapping -- Part 4of4
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 6 of 13 Contains Appendix 14A - SubAppendix B_Part 3of4 Appendix 14A (Terrain, Soils and Permafrost Technical Data Report) SubAppendix B: LSA Terrain Mapping -- Part 3of4
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 5 of 13 Contains Appendix 14A - SubAppendix B_Part 2of4 Appendix 14A (Terrain, Soils and Permafrost Technical Data Report) SubAppendix B: LSA Terrain Mapping -- Part 2of4
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 4 of 13 Contains Appendix 14A - SubAppendix B_Part 1of4 Appendix 14A (Terrain, Soils and Permafrost Technical Data Report) SubAppendix B: LSA Terrain Mapping -- Part 1of4
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 3 of 13 Contains Appendix 14A Appendix 14A - Terrain, Soils and Permafrost Technical Data Report
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 2 of 13 Contains Sections 19 to 22 of the DAR, and Appendices 12A, 13A, 13B: Report Sections: 19 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat 20 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Birds and Bird Habitat 21 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Biodiversity 22 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Heritage Resources Appendix: 12A - Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Baseline Technical Data Report 13A - Acoustic Environment Baseline Technical Data Report 13B - Effect Parameter Noise Maps
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 3 -- Subjects of Note Part 1 of 13 Contains Sections 12 to 18 of the DAR: 12 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Air Quality 13 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Noise 14 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Terrain, Soils and Permafrost 15 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Water Quantity 16 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Water and Sediment Quality 17 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Fish and Fish Habitat 18 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Vegetation and Wetlands
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 2 -- Assessment of Key Lines of Inquiry Part 2 of 2 Contains Appendixes 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A, 11A of the DAR: 9A - Detailed Scope of Assessment 9B - Detailed Project Interactions with the Socio-Economic Environment 9C - Existing Socio-Economic Conditions Document 10A - Caribou and Moose Technical Data Report 11A - MVH Extension Project: Technical Data Report - Cultural and Traditional Land Use
Developer's Assessment Report - Volume 2: Assessment of Key Lines of Inquiry Part 1 of 2 (Sect 8-11)
The Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) Volume 2 -- Assessment of Key Lines of Inquiry Part 1 of 2 Contains Sections 8 to 11 of the DAR: 8 - Summary of Key Lines of Inquiry 9 - Socio-Economic Impact Assessment 10 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Caribou and Moose 11 - Assessment of Potential Effects on Culture and Traditional Land Use, Including Harvesting
The Developer's Assessment Report Volume 1 -- Introduction and Project Description Part 3 of 3 Contains Appendix 5A 5A - Project Mapbook
The Developer's Assessment Report Volume 1 -- Introduction and Project Description Part 2 of 3 Contains Appendixes 1A, 2A, 2B, 2C 1A - Mackenzie Valley Highway: Wrigley to Norman Wells Business Case 2A - Engagement and Consultation Plan 2B - Overview of 2021-2023 Engagement Activities 2C - What We Heard Reports
The Developer's Assessment Report, Volume 1 (Introduction and Project Description). Part 1 of 3. Contains Sections 1-7 of Volume 1: 1 (Introduction to the Assessment) 2 (Consultation and Engagement) 3 (Traditional Knowledge) 4 (Assessment Approach and Methods) 5 (Detailed Project Description) 6 (Authorizations, Approvals, and Agreements) 7 (Assessment of Alternatives)
The Table of Contents, list of Appendices, Abbreviations, Glossary of Terms, and Terms of Reference (ToR) Concordance Table for the Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) of the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project.
A non-technical summary document of the Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) for the Mackenzie Valley Highway (MVH) Project, EA1213-02.
Cover letter from GNWT-INF to MVEIRB, for the Developer's Assessment Report.
Participant Funding Guide, including application forms, to apply for Northern Participant Funding for reviewing the Developer's Assessment Report.
A public notice from CIRNAC inviting application for participant funding for the review of the Developer's Assessment Report.
In this letter to the Review Board Chair, CIRNAC indicates it intends to provide participant funding through its Northern Participant Funding Program to support parties in their review of the Developer's Assessment Report.
This notice of proceeding describes the Review Board's immediate next step, an internal conformity check, after it receives the DAR from the GNWT.
The GNWT and Review Board staff met to discuss the submission of the DAR. The developer has since clarified that the main content of the DAR is 2500 pages, and with appendices it is 3600 pages.
The developer is notifying the Review Board that it anticipates submission of the Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) for the Mackenzie Valley Highway by the end of mid-October 2023.
The developer is notifying the Review Board that it anticipates submission of the Developer's Assessment Report (DAR) for the Mackenzie Valley Highway by the end of August 2023.
The Review Board plans to retain expert advisor Two Worlds Consulting for the MVH EA. Two Worlds Consulting's expertise is in the human environment and social, cultural, and economic impacts. If any party has questions or concerns about the qualifications of the expert, or the potential for conflict(s) of interest or apprehension of bias, please let Review Board staff know by July 28, 2023.
The Review Board plans to retain expert advisor John Nishi of EcoBorealis Consulting Inc. His area of expertise is in wildlife, with a focus on ungulates (hooved mammals). If any party has questions or concerns about the qualifications of the expert, or the potential for conflict(s) of interest or apprehension of bias, please let Review Board staff know by June 12, 2023.
For the remainder of its current environmental assessment for the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project (the Project), the Review Board is looking to retain social, cultural, and economic experts to help it consider the impacts of the Project on the social, cultural and economic well-being of residents and communities in the Mackenzie Valley. This Call for Interest has been EXTENDED for two weeks to May 19, 2023.
The GNWT and the Review Board met to discuss the status of the project and the submission of the DAR.
A letter from the developer to the Review Board regarding submission of the Developer's Assessment Report.
A letter from the Review Board to the developer requesting an update on when the Developer's Assessment Report will be submitted.
Letter from GNWT ENR to GNWT INF re: requirement for a Wildlife Management and Monitoring Plan
Project update submitted by the developer, GNWT Infrastructure.
To assist the Board and parties in the assessment of barren-ground caribou